2nd hand is as good as brand new if the price is right.just compare them SIMPLES lol

3rd Shimano or Diawa...all day long and on and on.........

4th if your casting a long way,and over 100 yards or more go for big pits...But if your not go for runners,but on the same note its what style of fish play you like...me i like to do all the work not the reel so big pits are more my bag

someone else put the pennith worth in please

and anyone that rates fox reels are just numpty/noddys/ because every reel they do are fooking shite..........dont go for fox.....simples

i use the shimano 10000 xte its a bait runner that has fantastic line lay, excellent casting ability and just feels so right when playing a fish. i reckon you could probrably pick up a couple of these 2nd hand for the budget you have, maybe try ebay or tackle trader.

with a big pit reel you can fish at distance ( like I do in france )you can aid your casting ( more line comes off the spool with its bigger diameter )you can fish close in ( weight of a bigger reel means very little when its on you pod )

with a much smaller reelfishing at distance may be a problem ( as they hold far less line )casting will be restricted as there is more friction etc with a smaller spool ) you can still fish close in

reido wrote:i use the shimano 10000 xte its a bait runner that has fantastic line lay, excellent casting ability and just feels so right when playing a fish. i reckon you could probrably pick up a couple of these 2nd hand for the budget you have, maybe try ebay or tackle trader.

this is my reccomendation and hope it helps.

2nd that..!

I have 2x 8000 for my main rods and a 5000 for floater stalking on a 10ft. could have gone for 10000 on all 3 rods but was better balanced to get the 8's and 5.

What rods you using with??

plus i have seen pit reels that dont always hold "that" much line - the 8000 XTE holds 390 mtrs of .30 line - thats 426 yards ???